Institutions who alter or destroy survivor records could face criminal prosecution [Video]

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT the records of survivors of Ireland’s institutional past is to be brought forward to the Oireachtas next week.

It seeks to make it an offence for any person or private organisation to destroy or alter relevant records, or to remove them from the State.

The organisations include the Magdalene Laundries, mother and baby and County Home institutions, children’s residential homes, orphanages and other related institutions.

If requested by the National Archives of Ireland, they will be required to produce an inventory of the records they hold.

The legislation aims to preserve survivors’ right to information about their origins and the institutions involved in their lives.

It builds on the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, which allowed adopted people to access their birth certificates, medical records and early life information.

Survivor advocacy groups Justice for Magdalenes Research, Adoption Rights Alliance and the Clann Project said the latest legislation is long overdue as many of those affected …